Question 1
Q: Are the places we travel to safe?
A: Safety is a primary concern for every trip and every team. We have safety plans in place in every country where we serve. We have structured and safe transportation for every aspect of the trip. The places we stay are secure, safe, and monitored when needed. We take precautions in our work and adventures to ensure complete safety. In all of our years of national and international mission work, we have never had an incident that endangered anyone. We monitor each country we work in for trouble and review US State Department travel guidance regularly for warnings. If there is trouble or concern in an area, we will suspend travel until things stabilize. We take every precaution to protect our team from any risk.
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Question 2
Q: Who can go on a mission trip?
A: Each trip has a minimum age requirement. We love the idea of allowing younger travelers and families to serve together as much as possible. The younger kids are exposed to hands-on orphan care, the greater the opportunity for their lives to be shaped by this experience. For safety sake, we do set minimum age requirements which varies by location. For the rest of our trips we invite teenagers through seniors to travel with us. People come from every background and have very diverse experience levels. We have people with medical, dental, construction, agriculture, teaching, ministry, social work, students, business, and most every walk of life. If you have a heart to care for orphaned children – you qualify.
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Question 3
Q: Will my family be split up to work on different ministry projects?
A: No, your family will stay together and work on the same ministry projects.
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Question 4
Q: Are there any special preparations my family needs to make before going on a mission trip?
A: Your team leader will provide your family with a pre-study that will guide your family in prayer and discussion about the mission trip. There will also be a conference call to go over details, orient the team to the culture, talk about travel plans, and expectations when in country. We encourage you to also enlist prayer partners through your extended family and church family who will pray for your mission experience.
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Question 5
Q: Do we book our own travel?
A: Yes you will book your own airfare. Before you book it, please contact us. We will give you guidance on when to arrive in country and when we will depart. Typically we shoot to arrive at noon on the first day and depart around noon on the last day. This type of coordination helps with transportation in and out of country. It also supports good team formation, in that we are all arriving in a window of time to start the mission and adventure together as a team.
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Question 6
Q: Who leads the teams?
A: Each of our team leaders is a qualified and experienced leader of people as well as in mission work. Each of our leaders has a passion to serve our Savior by serving orphans and widows in distress. Our leaders have served on mission trips in various locations. They possess a mature faith, a practical wisdom, street smarts in an international environment, team building skills, and a contagious energy for serving orphans.
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Question 7
Q: Is my trip tax deductible? Can people sponsor my trip?
A: Tax-deductible giving: If you are raising support through your local church, your church may be able to set up a fund that would allow the contributions to be tax deductible. Check with your local church to work out the details.
Non tax-deductible giving: If someone prefers to make the check payable to you, the gift is not tax-deductible because you are not a nonprofit organization. There is no problem with donors making contributions directly to you, so long as they understand that this will not be a tax-deductible gift.
A personal check or credit card payment by you for your own trip expenses is not tax-deductible, because you will receive the benefit of that purchase.
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Question 8
Q: Are you promoting the gospel of Christ?
A: The reason we go is to demonstrate the example of Jesus Christ through our actions by serving the people we meet. Depending on the freedom given in our host nation we take whatever opportunity we have through speaking, prayer, music, etc., to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ.
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Question 9
Q: Where do the team members come from?
A: Good Goers come from all over North America. Very few people know each other at the beginning of the trip, but leave as strong friends with a deep common experience of service that binds them.
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Question 10
Q: What would I do each day? What skills do I need?
A: We will certainly have a variety and vast menu of choices when it comes to work and service each day. We strive to give people options throughout the mission. Because we are serving alongside full time missionaries in each country, they have projects under way that we join in on. Some days you assist in food distribution or help put shoes on the feet of impoverished children. You will spend time playing with the kids, arranging events for them, and loving on them in special ways that you will create. You could help with painting or construction projects or assist in the building of a widow’s home. We pour cement, install lots of stuff, repair lots of stuff, dig a bit, replace things, and tidy up a bunch—every thing we do is to provide care for today and improve their quality of life in the name of Jesus Christ. We have the opportunity to teach classes or lead Vacation Bible School style events. You will pray with children, families in crisis, and widows whose spirits are weary. You will be asked to get out of your comfort zone a bit and try new things. You will provide care for today and hope for tomorrow in each project and interaction. Each day will be very full of activities and opportunities for you to use your gifts. A wide variety of skills and gifts is needed for each trip. The varied gifts and skills of all will be put to very good use.
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Question 11
Q: Can we bring our pet?
A: No, pets are not allowed unless the animal is a service animal (i.e., seeing eye or seizure sensing).
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Question 12
Q: How clean of an environment will we be working in?
A: Each Good Goers mission adventure will vary based on the location. Please tell your Good Goers representative about your family makeup and they will help you choose the trip which is best suited for all ages and needs of your Family.
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Question 13
Q: What do we eat?
A: Our goal is to be sure you are well fed and energized for long days of work and ministry. In a compound environment we will enjoy most of our meals at the compound prepared by staff. Breakfast is continental style, lunch is usually sandwiches on the project site, and dinner is more of a sit down, robust meal. We try to do a few meals from the local flavor. In all cases we are careful to exercise good sanitary technique so as to keep the team from stomach issues. We can accommodate your special dietary needs – just let us know in advance. Snacks are very welcome and encouraged. Bring some to share…
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Question 14
Q: Where do we stay?
A: This will vary from country to country. In most cases our partners have built our ministry compounds with dorms and dining facilities. We prefer this model where possible.
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Question 15
Q: Can you give me an idea of the average cost of Airfare?
A: Airfare prices have many variables. The big items that go into air fare cost are departure city, destination, seat availability, departure/arrival time. Airlines regularly adjust pricing based upon competitive influences and supply/demand. Gaining the best estimate for prices is achieved by going to www.orbitz.com or other airfare sites.
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Question 16
Q: Can you give me a break down of the cost of the trip since the airfare is not included?
A: Each trip is priced based upon the cost of running a trip in that country. The items that are included in a trip’s cost include lodging, food, transportation, mission project supplies, third-party outfitter fees, leader expense, credit card fees, Good Goers Gear, and support materials.
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Question 17
Q: What is the average group size?
A: We would like to see Good Goer team size at 25 per trip. This allows us to put a diverse team in the field that can accomplish great things in a short period of time. It is a manageable size, creates good team dynamics, and maximizes transportation services in a country so we get the greatest bang for the dollar.
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Question 18
Q: Are the leaders listed the leaders that go on all trips?
A: Our leaders are key to the success of each trip. Each of our leaders is very experienced, mature, and has been groomed for this particular leadership role over the past several years. Each has a deep commitment to Jesus and is passionate to serve orphans. We are continuing to train up leaders. The ones listed will lead the various trips we offer. We will raise up more and keep the website updated as they emerge.
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Question 19
Q: How do we find out about future trips?
A: All trips are listed on the website. These will be updated as more trips are added to the schedule.
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Question 20
Q: Are there scholarships available?
A: We do not offer scholarships. We do encourage you to engage in fund raising for this mission-adventure however. This is a process that engages your family, community of faith, and friends in support of your mission. It truly allows them to impact the lives of orphans and widows through you. It builds a support community around you and prayer covering. It is the body of Christ at work.
Steps:
1. Calculate your need: trip cost, plus airfare, plus postage, plus material cost.
2. Gather your vision statement together – Why do you believe God is leading you on this project? How do you hope God will use you? What do you hope to see happen as a result of your contribution on this project?
3. Pray
4. Create your list of contacts and draft a letter describing your #2 above and your need.
5. Pray
6. Do a follow-up phone call and answer questions.
7. Consider a face-to-face ask too.
8. See what your local church might do to help.
9. Be diligent in your preparation and to the process. Remember that your role is to be faithful to the process and God is the God of the harvest.
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Question 21
Q: Can you give me details regarding trips—for example, meetings before the trip, where everyone leaves from, etc.?
A:We have a very extensive trip orientation process for each Good Goer. Our orientation is designed to prepare you spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally so you’re ready for your trip. Here are the essentials in our “Get You Ready” process.
· We deliver to a “Field Guide” – a manual that assists you in the preparation of your trip.
· There is a 30 day call where you will get the opportunity to meet your leader and others on the trip.
· We will have a 2 week team call to manage together trip logistics, what you can expect, and country details.
· Once on the ground you will receive an orientation to the ministry and week ahead from our ministry partner.
· After travel we want to stay connected with you. We have a survey to get your point of view of the week. We want to share photos on the web site. We want to stay engaged with you on a social media site to walk with you as your adventure continues.
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Question 22
Q: What is your trip cancellation and change policy?
A: As circumstances change, you may find you need to cancel your trip.
• If you cancel and your airline ticket has already been purchased, you will be responsible for the cost of the ticket.
• Good Goers will retain the $100 nonrefundable deposit. We will return the remainder of your payment as long as you cancel 30 days prior to departure. If cancellation occurs within 30 days of the trip, we will work with you on the refund as long as there aren’t additional costs resulting from your cancellation.
• We will make every effort to return your funds. You may also choose to leave your funds on account with Good Goers and look to book a future missions-adventure trip.
• If a state of emergency is issued in a country and forces the trip to be cancelled, Good Goers will provide a full refund to your or, at your option, hold your payment in reserve for a future trip. The airline fee would be an issue unless you have trip insurance. Most airlines offer a one-year window for a ticket to be used.